Now, Ranta and Jackson are navigating the complex waters of Cedar Lake, just west of Lake Winnipeg. On their 4,500-mile journey to celebrate the country's sesquicentennial, Ranta and Jackson (both Ontario natives) were poised to spend Canada Day, July 1, on the shallow and often tempestuous waters of one of its iconic lakes.

Jackson has documented his recent days to travel with the ‘Last Voyageur’ in photos and words on Instagram:

A post shared by David Jackson (@davidjackson__) on May 30, 2017 at 12:15pm PDT

May 30, A Long Day on the Prairies. "Tucked into the ruins of a long dead Elm tree, Mike Ranta cooks a dinner of potatoes, beans, and bacon. After consecutive eighteen hour days, Ranta and Spitzii would find a few hours rest on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, Alberta."

A post shared by David Jackson (@davidjackson__) on Jun 14, 2017 at 6:49pm PDT

June 14, Another Long Day. "Mike Ranta paddles into the evening as the sunsets behind the South Saskatchewan River, SK. By sunrise the next morning, Ranta would light a small fire before resting in a willow patch after 24 straight hours in the canoe."

A post shared by David Jackson (@davidjackson__) on Jun 15, 2017 at 10:40am PDT

June 15, At Home on the Water. "Plywood decks, a custom cart bracket in the bow, one seat, and a raised bed for Spitzii round out Mike Ranta’s 18ft Souris River Canoe. Everything is designed to facilitate spending two-thirds of each year on the water. Just like any home, Ranta has a stove for cooking, a sham wow for cleaning, and the wilds of Canada broadcasting live in every direction."

A post shared by David Jackson (@davidjackson__) on Jun 20, 2017 at 8:48am PDT

June 20, The Fourth Province. "Crossing the border from Saskatchewan into Manitoba, Mike Ranta slid silently under distant storms … The following morning, mosquito swarms would transform into storm clouds as the shuddering chill of electricity filled the air. Hiding under the porch of a trappers cabin on the Saskatchewan River, Ranta considered the fast- approaching reservoir that is Cedar Lake … The afternoon of day 81 will see river turn to cat tail as the current disappears and the wild lakes of central Manitoba take over.”

— Stay tuned to CanoeKayak.com for more updates and dispatches as the expedition progresses. For more Mike Ranta: